Golden day for Le Roux as athletics adds three medals to Team SA's haul

Athletics has secured three more Youth Olympic medals for Team South Africa’s growing haul and high jumper Matao le Roux made sure one was gold. The 17-year-old’s leap of 2.16m was enough to see him to the top of the podium. Enrique Bosch won the bronze in the 110m hurdles and Darius Botha picked up bronze in the shot put.

The medal tally is now nine, which is a joint best-ever haul for the country at these Games, matching the nine won in 2010 in Singapore.

Le Roux became Team SA’s second gold medalist at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first being the rower Callum Dreyer and the young, energetic jumper from Caledon did so in style. In a head-to-head with Chinese athlete, Sen Liu, Le Roux managed to clear 2.16m on his first attempt putting extreme pressure on his competitor. Pressure that proved too much.

“I am so happy with my performance. I was really struggling with my first three jumps and I was being put under immense pressure. On the fourth jump I decided enough was enough and I went to put the pressure on him. I got into the groove and it flowed from there.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey, Team South Africa, my friends and my family, especially my mother. The two of us have been struggling for a long time and I hope this medal brings us opportunities we never had before. I want to push on from here and win more medals for my country, and for her.”

After the final 110m hurdles final, in which Bosch had an issue with his starting block - leading to a slow start, the young runner spoke about his gratitude and joy to be a bronze medalist, with him stopping the clock in 13.45sec. “I think I could have secured a silver or pushed for the gold if it was not for the start but I don’t mind too much. I am so happy to have won this medal, for myself and for the team. I cannot put into words how amazing this team has been and this will be a memory I cherish forever.”

Botha reflected on his medal-winning performance with a distance of 19.23m at the Iba Mar Diop Stadium with mixed emotions. “Firstly, I am extremely proud to have won a medal for Team South Africa in the first ever Olympic event on African soil. There is a small thought of ‘what if’ as I know I did not throw my best. Technically I was not quite up to par but to manage to bring home the bronze is amazing and I am so happy I could do it for this amazing team. Everyone involved with Team South Africa has been great and I want to thank everyone for their support. I am so happy.”

Megan Nieman cruised to victory in her 400m semi-final with a time of 1:00.56, qualifying her as a favourite for the final on Tuesday. The friendly 17-year-old shared her thoughts after an impressive race: “I started strong in those first 200m. I built a comfortable lead and I thought it would be a good idea to conserve as much energy for the final as I can because the heat is really draining. It was a fun race and I am excited for the final on Tuesday.”

Other South Africans in action in the athletics on Tuesday are Jacobus van der Merwe in the javelin, Milan Blignaut in the high jump, and Lara Stander in the 1 500m.

MEDALS (9)

GOLD (2)

Callum Dreyer (boys rowing – coastal beach sprints)

Mateo le Roux (athletics, boys high jump)

SILVER (4)

Leah Markgraaff (swimming, girls 400m freestyle)

Chanel Veldsman (swimming, girls 100m breaststroke)

John-Pierre Theron (athletics, boys hammer throw)

Rugby Sevens (boys)

BRONZE (3)

Chanel Veldsman (swimming, girls 200m breaststroke)

Darius Botha (athletics, boys shot put)

Enrique Bosch (athletics, boys 110m H)